Detroit Lions' rookie Ziggy Ansah impressive in preseason win

DETROIT -- If any doubts remained about Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, the Detroit Lions first-round pick, they were answered after the first defensive series against the New York Jets.

On the Jets' fourth play from scrimmage, Ansah who started at right defensive end, intercepted a pass from quarterback Mark Sanchez and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.

Hello, Ziggy. Welcome to Detroit.

The Lions opened their preseason Friday night with a 26-17 win over the Jets at Ford Field.

All last season the Lions' defense could not manage to score a point. One of the points of emphasis for the defense this year is to create turnovers.

"We'll definitely take any turnover whoever it comes from,'' Ndamukong Suh said. "Ziggy made a great play. Glover (Quin) almost had another one. That's how we want to be aggressive, make plays and get our offense the ball back.''

Teammates and coaches weren't surprised about Ansah's moves because they've seen it in practice. He has an instinct for the ball.

"You know a lot as made of Ziggy's inexperience,'' coach Jim Schwartz said. "We said from the beginning that he plays screens well, he plays draws well and all those kind of things. We've seen that stuff on tape so it wasn't a surprise when he made that play.''

Matthew Stafford (3 of 8 for 58 yards) and the first-team offense were in for two series. In the second, Stafford connected on two straight plays with Calvin Johnson for 28- and 22-yard gains.

Newcomer Reggie Bush played a role in that first one because the cornerback dropped off coverage of Johnson to play Bush coming out of the backfield.

"I was telling Reggie afterward no one ever drops Calvin for anybody,'' Stafford said. "... That's kind of the offense that we envisioned and everyone else doing their part and making plays as well.''

Those receptions set up a 47-yard field goal by David Akers, the 38-year-old replacement for Jason Hanson.

"Oh, it was fun. It's our first opportunity to get out there ad get our feet wet obviously playing against a good defense,'' Stafford said. "Guys were disciplined, did the right stuff, threw a different kind of balls, it was fun.''

Reggie Bush, also making his Lions' debut, picked up six yards on his first carry for a first down. It was a pretty play thanks to his hurdle over one defender.

"I didn't plan it, it was just kind of an instinct because a guy was going so low,'' Bush said. "It happened to play it out that way. Got the first down that was the most important part. I could care less about the hurdle.''

He said he hopes his teammates don't expect hurdles too often. Perhaps they do.

"The hurdle was awesome, I kind of had a bad view of it, but then all of a sudden I see him flying over somebody,'' Stafford said. "It's kind of sweet, more of that would be awesome.''

It was the first game Bush had ever played at Ford Field and he was happy to get a feel for the place.

Shaun Hill, who some call the NFL's best backup quarterback, was 11 of 18 for 136 yards including a 15-yard touchdown pass to Matt Willis who is making his case for fourth or fifth wide receiver spots.

Willis had three catches for 51 yards and, of course, that score.

The Lions have plenty to work on before their second preseason game on Thursday at the Cleveland Browns.

Stafford specifically said finishing drives is on the agenda.

"Just stalling drives, you want to finish those off with touchdowns. Obviously getting points on the second one was nice,'' Stafford said. "You want to finish them off. I feel we move the ball great from the time we got the ball to the end of the drive then we kind of stalled out. Whether it was a missed throw or a good defensive play, whatever it was, it's something we have to work on, it's something you get better at as you keep playing.''